Workshop on Allergy Prevalence in Fragrance

Posted: September 30, 2008

The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) will be holding a workshop on Allergy Prevalence in Fragrance on Nov. 4, at the Stanhope Hotel in Brussels, Belgium. According to IFRA director general Jean-Pierre Houri, IFRA is holding this workshop “in order to discuss openly the issues surrounding allergens and fragrance, to discuss how best to exploit the most recent data available and explain the current situation regarding the industry’s management of it safety process.”

The event, which is scheduled from 10 am–1 pm, followed by lunch, will include presentations from researchers, regulators and industry professionals. The keynote speaker, Axel Schnuch (University of Goettingen), will outline his latest research findings on the prevalence of allergies to fragrances through clinical epidemiology. Schnuch has been carrying out research in association with the German Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) for more than 30 clinics in Europe to monitor and analyze data about frequency of dermal sensitization to many potential sensitizers, including fragrance materials. His presentation will discuss the latest results from his surveys.

In addition, a member of the European Dermatology and Epidemiology Network (EDEN) will present on the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials’ (RIFM) current and ongoing research project investigating the situation of prevalence of allergy in the general population directly. This will provide another important piece of information to understand the whole issue of fragrance allergies.

An EU official will explain the EU Commission’s Scientific Commission on Consumer Products’ (SCCP) approach to the current scientific knowledge and its decision-making process, along with a template for future regulation. And, finally, a speaker from the cosmetics industry will present the viewpoint of an international company and how it deals day to day with the regulations and IFRA Standards and what it would like to see from regulators in the future.

This workshop is very timely given that the subject of allergens is high on the EU’s legislative radar. As Houri explains: